Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has expressed serious concerns over the indifference of the incumbent Federal Government regarding the transfer of development funds for merged areas and payment of the Net Hydel Profit arrears, and claimed to exercise all the political, constitutional, and legal options to get the due rights of the province. According to him, the non-compliance with the commitments made by the Federal Government regarding the provision of development funds for the current fiscal year is badly affecting the development programs of the province, especially in merged areas which is unacceptable. The Chief Minister termed it a sheer injustice to the people of merged Districts.
Presently, a political coalition is ruling in the Center, Sindh, and Balochistan while another Political group is governing in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan. Unfortunately, the political leadership in the government as well as in the opposition had always valued their political interests instead of the benefit of the country and the welfare of the people of their respective regions. Chief Minister KP has accused the center of discrimination and not fulfilling its commitments regarding the provision of essential funds under the NFC award and vowed to use all available options to get the rights of his province. However, a couple of weeks ago, Federal Government accused the KP and Punjab governments of sabotaging Pakistan’s deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) amid fear of economic default and uninterrupted battle with the torrential rains and flooding across the country. Both provincial governments did not deny those allegations but rather defended their actions under the pretext of changed priorities, which attracted massive condemnation from the public.
Similarly, there had been a confrontation between Central and Provincial governments if ruled by the opposing parties in the past. In fact, the opposing factions had always promoted their politics and never considered peaceful coexistence and mutual cooperation as a means for the enhancement of party politics along with safeguarding national interests at the same time. Although politicians never feel ashamed of their behavior hence the public must hold them accountable in due course of time.
